Edmunds: 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel

[Htay7500]

Driving the World's First Boxer Diesel


We're driving the 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel in Malaga, Spain, but we might as well be in Southern California.

Everything looks like Southern California already, right down to the Spanish on the street signs. And while you might think of the distinctive clatter of diesel from beneath the Legacy's hood as the signature sound of European traffic these days, we promise you that it will be heard on the streets of Orange County soon enough.

This 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel is a European model meant to go on sale this spring, but we think it's surely coming to America. A wave of diesel technology is headed toward the United States, and Subaru clearly wants to be riding the crest.




By Alistair Weaver, European Editor Email
Date posted: 01-29-2008

We're driving the 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel in Malaga, Spain, but we might as well be in Southern California.

Everything looks like Southern California already, right down to the Spanish on the street signs. And while you might think of the distinctive clatter of diesel from beneath the Legacy's hood as the signature sound of European traffic these days, we promise you that it will be heard on the streets of Orange County soon enough.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=124553

[EldoFan]

Looks interesting.........though I'd have to agree with them as far as a 6-speed making better use of the power band is concerned.....

That interior's looking awfully plasticy too......

[big swede]

Pretty interesting that the Boxer design is so strong that the block and heads are aluminum. Even if there is a little added weight it will be very low in the chassis which, if you have to add weight, is the best place to put it. Not sure why they were suprised that a 6 speed would work better. Just because the turbo provides the diesel with great lowend torque they run of of breath very early in the rpm range making more gear ratios even more beneficial.

[t-rex]

Holy crap! A Scooby oil-burner? Where do I sign up?

[BrickTamland]

If they put that in a Forester, one of my parents may have found their next car. My mom has a Forester and my dad has an Outback; both '01s. My dad also really likes Foresters. What they may be doing for replacing the cars is getting another Subaru and getting some kind of hybrid, possibly a Volt.

[F14CRAZY]

258 ft/lbs is crazy when you consider my 2.5L gas makes like 166 ft/lbs. With as quiet as Edmunds says it is, and 60 mpg, I'll definitely consider it if they bring it over

[EldoFan]

A black Legacy GT w/this oilburner, alloys & a 6-speed would actually be good incentive for me to learn to drive a stick.....

[Puffnstuff]

Looks like a very nice car and with fuel prices headed upwards it would probably be received very well here in the states.

[genjy]

The diesel Legacy is going to be sloooow.

But, for those who really need Subaru's AWD capability in the first place probably don't/can't drive too quickly anyway.

Diesel torque + AWD grip is a good match.

[ctaylorzl1]

WOW, 60.5MPG! and thats in a decent size AWD car! But with the emission laws over here, it will probably put its mileage just a little above the regular gas engine. To bad we cant let up a little on the emission standards for cars so we can get some really good mileage. But that wont happen, Big Oil.....blah blah.....less profits for them....blah blah.......same old story!

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by genjy

The diesel Legacy is going to be sloooow.

But, for those who really need Subaru's AWD capability in the first place probably don't/can't drive too quickly anyway.

Diesel torque + AWD grip is a good match.

I would think the generous helpings of torqe + AWD would help counterbalance any sad acceleration/ 1/4 mile figures (but then again, I don't think any prospective customer would be as interested in the sporty attributes as they would the economical benefits )

[Htay7500]

the article also mentions that their will be a diesel boxer in the outback (avail. now?) and an impreza at the end of the year. obviously, it will only come in the european market 1st, then if possible, it'll come in the US, no timeframe available though.

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

If they put that in a Forester, one of my parents may have found their next car. My mom has a Forester and my dad has an Outback; both '01s. My dad also really likes Foresters. What they may be doing for replacing the cars is getting another Subaru and getting some kind of hybrid, possibly a Volt.

theres a chance that a diesel forester might come here in '10.

[JJ26]

Subaru diesels will come to the US market. Europe is not only getting them first because having a diesel option is a must there but to also make sure their engines are up to par. Onces that is done (around 2010 I hear) they will start showing up here in the US.

Edit: Here's some info on the diesel and the new Forester. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...27&postcount=1

[F14CRAZY]

It would seem that proper gearing would tap more into the torque available to negate the low HP